I used to be a railroad bum a living on the goI rode freights from Canada down to MexicoFrom sunny Cal to Minnesota where the rippling waters fallsI never seemed to have a dime but I had myself a ballSinging hi le hi lo he li le li lo I used to beA railroad bum but I'm not anymore

I walked in the Silver Dollar in Reno one nightDropped a quarter in a one armed bandit the lemons lined up rightTook my winnings then played poker and I won ten thousand moreI used to be a railroad bum but I'm not anymoreSinging hi le hi lo he li le li lo I used to beA railroad bum but I'm not anymore

When cotton's white in Tennessee and shrimp boats sail in MainePeach picking time soon will find me riding a Georgia trainCause I get restless when I'm still I guess I always willWant to keep traveling all my life over another hillSinging hi le hi lo he li le li lo I used to beA railroad bum but I'm not anymoreSinging hi le hi lo he li le li lo I used to beA railroad bum but I'm not anymore